Sexuality in the Image of God (Pt. 2)

Part 1 was about how Adam sees Eve as the companion that completes him. This goes deeper than mere sentimentality. Apart from her, he can’t be the image of God. Genesis 1:27 says, “…in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Commenting on this verse Calvin says that it is “as if he had said that the man himself was incomplete.”

There’s  an important question that needs to be raised here: Was Adam being selfish? After all it seems wrong for any man to say, “I need to find a woman so that I can become who I am!” What about respecting her individuality? What about who she is?

But what is more honoring to a woman? Disregard or esteem? The first says, “She’s on her own,” but the second says, “She’s my queen!” The first says, “I’ll have nothing to do with her” but the second says, “We’re literally joined at the hip!”

Adam called Eve “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Gen 2:23). Some say that the phrase “bone of my bones” and “flesh of my flesh” parallels the phrases “king of kings” or “lord of lords.” Perhaps Adam was saying that Eve was the best part of who he was. She is the “excellent wife” who is “the crown of her husband” (Pro 12:4).

Adam didn’t need Eve in order to use her, but to love her as himself. The implications for this understanding of sexuality are far-reaching and will require at least three more posts…